Before you apply

Intropara

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Your decision to go to university isn't ​just a question of choosing the right course; it's about finding a location where you can see yourself living, studying and socialising for the next few years of your life!​​​ Make sure you get lots of advice from parents, teachers and friends but keep in mind what interests
you and what
your goals are.

Below are a few ideas to get you started, and what to expect if you make an application to Cardiff Met:

​Research your Course Choices

We highly recommend that you research your course choice well before applying, because if you’re on the right course, you’ll love student life. Whether you want a single or joint honours degree, or a course that offers you the opportunity to undertake a work placement, make sure you visit university websites, request prospectuses and visit
ucas.com​ to search the range of courses that are available to you.

You can choose from a wide range of career-orientated pathways at Cardiff Met, preparing you for a first class career after graduation. Many of our courses are fully accredited by industry bodies and offer year long work placements which can give you the edge when it comes to starting your chosen career.

Open Days

Open Days provide the perfect opportunity to experience first hand the location, teaching environment and typical content of your course; can help you to get a feel for a new place and help you decide whether or not you can see yourself living and studying there for the duration of your studies.

Cardiff Met hosts a full programme of unique and exciting Open Days throughout the year.

As we've mentioned before, university is about living too, which is why it's worth knowing that our campuses are set in the heart of Cardiff - a young, historic yet vibrant city full of style and character, with a range of world class sporting, shopping and nightlife facilities.

UCAS Higher Education (HE) Fairs

Every year, UCAS organises a range of Higher Education Conventions around the UK. Almost all UK universities will attend these conventions so it's an ideal opportunity for you to discover a range of courses that are available around the UK.

As well as finding out more about the study options available, the conventions are an ideal opportunity to participate in talks and presentations about topics such as your personal statement, student life, tuition fees and financing your way through university.

Every year (usually in March/April) we host one of these conventions here at Cardiff Met. The event takes place at our National Indoor Athletics Centre (NIAC) at the Cyncoed Campus. Check out the UCAS
website​ to see how you can come and see us at this event.

Your school or college may already be organising a trip to one of these conventions, however you can also attend them with friends or family.

Make an Application through UCAS

If you wish to apply for a full time undergraduate course please do so via UCAS at www.ucas.com. You can apply for most of our courses through UCAS right through to the end of June. Please make sure you contact Admissions to check if there is a specific deadline for your chosen course. If you have applied elsewhere and change your mind, or didn't receive the offers you wanted, Cardiff Met also accepts applications through
UCAS Extra.

The Institution code for Cardiff Metropolitan University is: C20 (CMET)

UCAS Customer Services - 0371 468 0 468

Take some time over the personal statement section of your UCAS application. You will want to make a few drafts and also ask other people to read it for you for their opinion. This statement is very important as it forms a big part of the assessment of your application. Tips and tools for completing the personal statement are also available on UCAS.com.

How your Application is considered

Once your application form has been received at UCAS it will be sent to Cardiff Metropolitan University for consideration.

Your application will be considered by either admissions staff or programme tutors dependant on the programme that you have applied for and we will endeavour to process your application as soon as possible after receipt.

If you are applying for one of our franchised courses at Cardiff and Vale College or Bridgend College, your application will be received by Cardiff Met in the normal way and Admissions will refer your application to the relevant college for them to consider. They may contact you for an interview and college visit before making a decision on your application, or they may make the decision based solely on the strength of your application. The college will then inform Cardiff Met Admissions of their decision so it can be processed via UCAS.

Decisions are based on set criteria and all information provided on the application is considered when deciding to offer a place. Certain programmes require an interview before an offer of a place can be given and applicants are informed of the details of this beforehand.

Candidates who do not possess normal minimum entry qualifications are interviewed and considered individually by members of the course team on the basis of their prior learning or working background. For applicants who are only undertaking 2 A levels or equivalent, this will be considered along with the rest of the academic profile and we may issue a graded offer in lieu of an offer using the UCAS Tariff. For further information on the University's RPL procedures and whether this may be applicable, please
click here.

Interviews

I​f you are invited to attend an interview you will have a chance to see Cardiff Metropolitan University and the facilities available to you. The interview is used to discover whether you are suited to the course and also whether the course is suited to you. If you prepare yourself well beforehand you should have nothing to worry about. The following points may help you.

Read through the information on our website, prospectus and/or course leaflet to make sure you are familiar with the details of the course you want to follow, you may be asked why the course appeals to you.

Interviews for Art and Design courses will require students to show examples of their work. Prepare this work in advance to make sure you have an impressive range of material to show the interviewer. This work should be put together over a reasonable period, say eighteen months.

Make sure you are punctual. Allow plenty of time for your journey - check train/bus times etc. Aim to arrive at the place where the interview is taking place at least ten minutes early - that will give you the chance to collect your thoughts before the interview. If you arrive earlier, you could spend the time looking around the campus and facilities.

And finally, questions… The end of the interview is your chance to demonstrate your interest in the course by asking questions. Try to prepare these in advance - you could ask for more information about the course itself, for example, the teaching methods used; the accommodation available or employment potential.

In the event of a campus closure: please be aware that in the event of Cardiff Met having to cancel the interview last minute (for example, due to severe weather conditions), we will notify you via
Latest news section on our website the day before your interview. We will also send out a text message to you. In such circumstances we will re-arrange the interview as soon as possible.

Types of Offers

If you are offered a place, the following decisions may apply:

Conditional Offer: where you have been accepted on condition that you obtain certain grades or points in examinations, or if you need to provide evidence of your completed qualifications including GCSEs.

Unconditional Offer: where you have already satisfied the entry requirements for the course. It is Cardiff Metropolitan University’s policy not to process unconditional offers without seeing evidence of your qualifications.

Change of Course Offer: where we cannot offer you a place on your initial choice but have offered you a place on a course that we think will be more suitable.

You will also be told in an email from UCAS how to accept or decline the offer before your deadline.

Re-Application

Debtors

Debtors to the University who make a new application will be considered and providing requirements for entry are met, will be offered a place. However, this offer will be dependant on either the debt being cleared before the start of the programme, or an agreement established with Finance concerning payment.

Further information on the University's
Debtor Policy and Procedure,
click here.

Bad Academic Standing

Applicants who have left the University in bad academic standing i.e. without successfully completing the year of study upon which they were last enrolled, are expected to inform the Admissions Unit when considering reapplying, before an application is submitted. Applicants will be considered once the information on the bad academic standing has been received and verified. The final decision on acceptance will be made by the two Programme Directors concerned with your past and proposed study.

Under 18 Student Policy

Each year, the University admits a small number of students who are under the age of 18 at the start of term. From experience, most are over the age of 17 and will reach their 18th birthday soon after starting their studies, but due to the legal definition of a child being 'a person under the age of 18', the University recognises the need for a safeguarding culture for these students. It is of particular importance to ensure:

the relevant health and safety requirements are understood and are being met

the extent of the commitment to safeguarding is clearly established and communicated internally and externally as appropriate

that both collective and individual responsibilities are clearly defined and acted upon

there is a protection for University staff by ensuring appropriate systems are in place

You can find the relevant information and form for completion as part of our
Student Handbook.

Fee Status Assessment

The information provided on your application is normally sufficient to determine your fee status, i.e. whether you will pay home or overseas fees as a student at Cardiff Met. If your fee status is unclear you will be sent a Fee Status Assessment Form which will need to be completed and returned to the address indicated on the form as soon as possible. If the form is not returned you will be defaulted to overseas status for tuition fee purposes and charged the higher rate of fees. For further information on this process please
click here.

Matriculation

It is Cardiff Metropolitan University’s policy to check all qualifications prior to enrolment. Please click hereto view our policy on verification of qualifications and matriculation.